206 
HYMENOPTERA. 
This species, like others, is not allowed to work and increase un¬ 
molested but has enemies which prey upon it. Chrysis fuscipennis, Br., 
Hedychrydium rugosum, Sm., and an undescribed Chrysis are found in 
the cells ; a Tachinid fly, of which as many as six maggots are found in 
one cell ; a Bombyliid (Hyperalonia sphynx) is found in the pupal 
cocoon and in this case the pupa of the fly forces itself through the ma¬ 
sonry so far as to allow of the emergence of the fly to the outside ; finally, 
a Mutilla has been once reared from this species, unfortunately only a 
male. 
This wasp is the subject of a curious belief in the Punjab ; it has 
been noticed that it stores spiders and that eventually a wasp like itself 
is produced ; not knowing what occurs in the cell, it is commonly be¬ 
lieved that the wasp has the miraculous power of imparting its shape 
and colour to the spiders, and that each spider reappears in the new 
form. 
G. R. Dutt, who has studied this wasp at Pusa, once removed the 
cells of a nearly completed nest which only required covering with mud ; 
the wasp had made two cells, and had commenced bringing mud to 
plaster all over them when this was done; she however continued to 
r bring mud and to plaster it over the marks 
left on the wall until she had produced the 
same appearance as she would have had 
the cells still been there, apparently un¬ 
aware that the cells had been removed. 
The student should read the parallel cases 
described by Fabre, and translated in 
Insect Life.” 
Fig. 114.—SCELIPHRON BILI- 
XEATYM CFJ.r. X 2. 
Sceliphron eoromandelicum, Lep., is a 
large species, of similar habits to the above. 
There are one to seven cells (rarely up 
to 12) in the nest, which is placed in build¬ 
ings or on trees. It has similar parasites, 
and a Chalcid parasitises the Chrysid 
parasite, thus adding to the complicated 
fauna that centres round these nests. 
